Students or Professors? Momina Iqbal and Usama Khan mocked over ‘Nizaam’ roles
Pakistani actors Momina Iqbal and Usama Khan have found themselves at the centre of social media chatter after their college student roles in the newly premiered drama serial Nizaam left viewers questioning the casting choices.
As the first episode of Nizaam aired, the drama quickly began making waves online, but much of the attention was directed towards Momina and Usama’s portrayal of young university students. Instead of being convinced by their student personas, viewers flooded social media with hilarious reactions and criticism, arguing that the actors’ mature appearances made the roles difficult to believe.
Momina, who plays Hoor, and Usama Khan were particularly singled out by netizens, with many suggesting that the duo looked more like university professors or faculty members than college students.
The criticism largely centred on the actors’ polished and mature appearances, while Momina’s glamorous styling further fuelled the discussion. Several viewers questioned whether the styling and casting effectively matched the age and setting of their characters.
One social media user jokingly wrote: “Itne bare bare logon ko bag aur books pakra di hain” “They handed bags and books to such grown up people.”
Another questioned Momina’s casting, writing: “Kahan se ye student lag rahi hai? Kuch soch kar cast kyun nahi karte?” “How does she look like a student? Why don’t they think before casting?”
Taking the joke even further, another viewer quipped: “Is this a college for senior citizens?”
The humorous reactions soon became part of the online conversation surrounding the drama, with viewers focusing more on the leads’ appearance and styling than their performances in the opening episode.
Nizaam, written by Fatima Faizan and directed by Abdullah Badini, is an emotional family and romantic drama that revolves around the clash between a father’s strict expectations and his son’s personal ambitions.
The story explores themes of family duty, love and individual freedom, while highlighting the complicated choices that emerge when personal aspirations collide with parental expectations.
With the first episode already sparking a lively social media debate, it remains to be seen whether viewers will eventually warm to Momina and Usama in their student roles as the story progresses.